Solon having fun, getting serious

SOLON – Brandon Childs had a simple remedy for a teammate who claimed to be hurt.

'Don't laugh,' Solon's senior quarterback prescribed to his lineman, who a few days into practice was nursing muscle soreness from laughing, not conditioning.

'That's not possible with you guys,' he responded.

Childs may not add athletic trainer to his duties this season, but he's got plenty on his plate regardless as a starting defensive back and kicker to go along with his role under center.

It's a love of the game that has Childs wanting to stay on the field as much as possible. That's a common trait on this fun-loving team.

'We're weird,' senior receiver and defensive back Nate Christensen said. 'We're a special set of individuals, and when we get on the field together, it's a good time.

'We're yelling, we're screaming, we're running around. We like to play.'

'Running around,' to put it loosely, is probably the strength of a team ranked seventh in Class 3A in the preseason poll.

Three of the top four receivers — Jacob Coons, Christensen and Halston Durr — return and Childs is even more confident after accounting for 17 touchdowns (10 passing, seven rushing) in his first season with just two interceptions.

Replacing second team all-state running back Brandon Kramer will be a challenge, but Childs has liked what he saw in off-season speed workouts.

'I really feel like our speed is the greatest asset here,' Childs said. 'We can get the ball out to our receivers and our running backs, who are very quick.'

Coach Kevin Miller said Kramer's carries will probably be split among a number of players — Spencer Lawson, Bo Black, Trevor Nelson and Cole Fritz are among the candidates.

While there's plenty of playmakers to choose from, developing depth on the offensive and defensive lines is a point of emphasis for Miller. First team all-stater Logan Linderbaum graduated along with two other starters.

'I feel really good about our skill positions and the secondary. It's just the O-line and D-line I think that are some of the question marks,' Miller said. 'Mainly, it's about depth. I think we have some quality guys there. It's just a matter of the depth question.'

After developing an extraordinary amount of unknowns into a 9-2 record and a share of the district championship, those questions seem easier.

Tradition-rich Solon doesn't hide from goals of going undefeated and winning championships, but knows a rigorous schedule will test its ability to maintain all those preseason smiles and laughs.

'I feel like this year, though, we understand the demands of our schedule better than we did last year,' Miller said. 'I hope that we're better equipped, but you never know.'

SOLON, at a glance

Coach: Kevin Miller (15th season, 143-24)

Last year: 9-2 overall, 5-1 Class 3A District 4 (tie-1st), 3A playoffs qualifier (beat Davenport Assumption, lost to West Delaware, 28-14, in second round)

Returning starters: QB Brandon Childs, TE/DE Jacob Coons, OL.LB Tanner Wymer, OL Justin Gibbs, WR/OL Nathaniel Christensen, WR Halston Durr, LB Bo Black

Key losses: OL/DL Logan Linderbaum, RB/LB Brandon Kramer, WR/DB Connor Ham

Key to making the playoffs: Establishing new faces in the running game and keeping the line healthy will determine how far this Spartans team can go.

Games to watch: Aug. 28, at Iowa City Regina; Sept. 11, Cedar Rapids Xavier

Schedule (*district game):

Aug. 28 – at Iowa City Regina

Sept. 4 – Mount Vernon

Sept. 11 – *Cedar Rapids Xavier

Sept. 18 – *at Marion

Sept. 25 – at Washington (Iowa)

Oct. 2 – *DeWitt Central

Oct. 9 – *at Maquoketa

Oct. 16 – *Western Dubuque

Oct. 23 – *at Dubuque Wahlert

l Comments: (319) 398-8252; nathan.ford@thegazette.com